Image: whitetail_bait_pa

Proponents say House Bill 2440 would allow hunters to bait deer in localized, overpopulated areas. Photo by Bildagentur Zoonar Gmbh.

If passed, a Pennsylvania bill would let hunters use bait to attract deer in designated areas. According to GoErie, House Bill 2440 allows the Pennsylvania Game Commission to designate areas where hunters could use bait to attract deer to address wildlife disease transmission, habitat degradation, or any other purpose established by the commission.

Baiting deer for hunting is currently illegal in Pennsylvania except conditionally on private property in Southeast Special Regulations areas. Rep. Thomas Mehaffie, a Republican from Dauphin County, introduced the bill April 27, and Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik, a Democrat from Allegheny County and chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, co-sponsored the legislation.

In a memo to fellow legislators, Mehaffie wrote, “While allowing open statewide deer baiting during hunting is impractical, there are special circumstances under which the practice may be warranted.”

According to Mehaffie, the legislation will, “Authorize the PGC to allow special exceptions to permit hunters on private property, in areas designated by the PGC, to use bait to attract deer. Exceptions would apply only to specific removal purposes: addressing disease transmission, habitat degradation, or via a special use permit (such as disabled hunting permits).”

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He said the change would let hunters remove deer on a hyper-localized level in areas that provide little hunting opportunity because of their landscape.

The Game Commission supports the legislation.

“The PGC supports the bill because it gives the agency the authority to allow for baiting in certain circumstances,” Joshua Zimmerman, agency spokesman, said in response to the bill. The bill has been referred to the Game and Fisheries Committee for review.